this...some of that

It's been awhile since I posted. Sorry! Do you ever wish you could backtrack to a certain point in your life and start again? I'm sure everyone does.

I'm not much into putting personal stuff on my blogs, but I am going to walk out on a limb (a little) with this one. There have been too many funerals in my family the past year - mother, brother, sister-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law. These past few weeks I have felt emotionally bankrupt, not wanting to do much of anything at all, not wanting to talk or create. When I would come to my blog, I just did not have enough left in me to write a sentence. I'm going to give it a shot tonight and post something.

While browsing through Borders today, I found a book that reminded me so much of my relationship with my own mother that I just had to buy it. My mother was wonderful, strong, full of faith, a realist, stable, a hard worker, a fabulous cook - but we clashed every time we got together. It was never anything big, always trivial things.

So, since my brain is on vacation at some undisclosed location for an unlimited amount of time, I'll be sharing some thoughts and experiences from Cathy Guisewite's "Confessions to My Mother", that match my experience with my own mother. (I am wondering, did we all have the same "Mother"? 

There are days when a hug from my mom would fix every thing. If you are blessed to have your mom and dad around, do HUG them every chance you get!

I've always needed 

your approval the most 

and believed 

 your compliments the least.

Cathy Guisewite 

 On a lighter note, the puppies are doing wonderful! They are gorgeous and so very, very smart! 

Here are a favorite pics of "pure love" wrapped in white fur!

living in the moment

Do not dwell in the past; do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Buddha

One thing for sure, nature and animals can teach us so much...if only we listen. To live in the moment, not worry about yesterday or tomorrow. How much less stressful life would be. I watch them as they sleep, so peaceful - so content with the NOW.  All is well in their world.

I believe God talks to us through his creations more than any other way. Reading the Bible is an interpretation of what you read, and who can say "they" have the key to understanding what every other person in the world interprets a different way?

Watching Portia with her babies is quite a "life" lesson in parenting. Each day she stays out of the crate a little more. When they make any kind of noise, she runs to see if all is OK. Once she observes it is, she goes back to doing whatever. How amazing to watch this little dog, who had no books to read, no doctor to tell her what to do, no family member's expertise to call upon, yet, she is doing her job as a mother, perfectly - without smothering or being controlling. Without question, it is a joy to watch her love them unconditionally, but a little sad knowing that at some time in the future she will allow them to move on to live a life of their own, without her.

I am so in awe of the natural progression of life. And thanks to Portia, she is giving me many awe moments these days.

Update on Puppies

Well, the puppies are six days old tonight - They are doing well, growing every day. Portia would really like me to keep my paws off her babies, but I can't do that. I just want to hold them all the time, I don't do that, but I do pick them up several times a day. It will be so exciting when they open their eyes, they look like little moles rooting their way around, (though I have never seen a mole, it's what I imagine they look like).



Today's weight:
Little boy - 11 oz.
Both little girls - 14 oz.



He is catching up with the girls. :)

Portia + Marelli = BABIES

Hello, Everyone!

Yes, I am back home, but ended up going back to Kentucky, no storm this time through. When I went a little over two weeks ago, I was caught in that big storm that went through Louisville. (No fun) Confession: I was scared! The wind was whipping my car all over the place and there was no way to get off the interstate. So, the last trip was a bit more uneventful, thankfully.

I had left Portia, my baby with the groomer, she was due to have her puppies while I was away. Sure enough, she did! She had a rough time; the groomer (who is FABULOUS!!!) took her to the emergency room. The doctor wanted to do a c-section, (Portia had other plans) while he was out of the room with his staff setting up the surgery room, she delivered one. He still wanted to do a c-section, left the room and she had another. In the end, she delivered all three (that's the way we women are, we do things our way) - one boy, two girls.

She is doing well, but she looks and acts so tired! Poor little thing!!!

Portia is the best little mommy any puppy could have. Marelli is a great little daddy, but he stays away at Portia's request. He's a SMART little man, he does not push her at all.:)

Me on the other hand, I am a nervous wreck. I am having a hard time sleeping, or doing anything that takes me out of the room. The little boy whined today and with every whine, I felt my stomach turn, worrying that something may be wrong.

Thank goodness I have had my children, don't know if I could handle it anymore. :)

I will try to catch up with everyone tomorrow.

Thanks to all of you who left messages and sent me email, your words were so very comforting. I appreciate each one of you!!!


Portia and her babies


Resting...


Best friends.


Brother and Sisters


Aren't they so darn cute!?


Marelli, proud daddy.

creating reality

Hello Everyone!

Sorry I haven't been around much lately. I had the family funeral to attend, relatives visiting, then was in Kentucky. I head to Indiana on Thursday, and will be back by Saturday. I have missed you all and will check in as soon as I can.

Hope everyone is doing well !!!

XOXOXO

more bits and pieces

My playing photographer is just a distraction at the moment. A family member passed away last night and though expected - as he had been battling pancreatic cancer - it is always a hard thing to lose someone. So, I think this (playing photographer) has been a nice distraction, helping me to divert my thoughts a little bit.

Here are a few more pics from around my home. As you can see I do not have a particular style - a little of this and a little of that...and things that reach out and grab hold of my heartstrings. I like things that have paint peeling, nicks and scratches and bumps and bruises. I can't stand for things to match - As long as things are eye pleasing to me that's all that matters. I like things that had a life before me, a story to tell. Everything in my house...has a story to tell.


I collect billiard balls, yes, for real.

Let me ask you something, what is not art? ~Author Unknown


A few religious pictures I collected while living in Europe.


Posting this picture because...I like it. The metal piece is something I found while running and I have no idea what it is.


A lovely antique silver tea pot.


Love the peeling paint.


A Curtis Jere sculpture that has no special spot to call home, yet.


A few of my restaurant pieces. I love to use them for serving.


A favorite painting.

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can. ~Danny Kaye


I bought this picture in Germany. I absolutely LOVE it!!!


I made this picture from stamps.


Another picture I created from stamps.


Can't remember where I found this beautiful picture, but I love it!


One of my favorite antique mirrors.


Another religious picture I bought in Germany, it is so very calming... and quite large.


Love these - they're fun.


European basket covered wine bottles I bought in Europe.


Antique frogs, another European purchase.


Aren't they adorable? Talk about puppy eyes...


Just a few books. One day I'll take pics of my book cases.


I collected these in Germany, they are decoupaged postcards on wood.

Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. ~William Morris

I hope I haven't bored you all too much. :)

bits and pieces

Needing to think about something not so deep tonight - it's late, so here are a few bits of pieces of me...


My mother's much loved and well-worn Bible is one of my favorite treasures. It was never stored on a shelf to collect dust, she read it.


Whenever I find a piece that speaks to my heart, I buy it.


My favorite lamp, a photo of my mom, dad, brothers and sisters, sits on a table next to my bed.


A crazy quilt I made, it hangs on a wall in my bedroom. (not the whole quilt)


Found this at a Thrift Shop and had to have it. He made me think of Flipper when I saw him.


A collection of small vintage boxes, they have a home on my fireplace mantle with a very old picture I bought in at a German flea market.


I love children's books...fun and quirky toys.


A tiny fraction of my jewelry. I make about 95% of all my jewelry.


I have a red glass ice bucket in my bedroom.:) The necklace is one I made, one of my favorites to wear; it goes with so much.


Bedroom. It's a little bit Bohemian. I made the quilt, which does not show up very well in this photo.


Button balls I made with vintage buttons.


A favorite vintage mirror that sits on a small vintage metal table along one side of my bed. (you can see a little more of the quilt in this photo).


Just a few bottles of perfume.


The candle holder was a gift from a very special friend, given to me several years ago.

Can you tell that I love color and ALL things vintage?

Last night's moon

The moon looks lonely at times, while the stars play hide and seek.

The sky is that beautiful old parchment in which the sun and the moon keep their diary. ~Alfred Kreymborg

the dude

This little dude came by for a visit today; and he did make my day. I think I may have been a bug or insect in a past life, (lol) cause they love my taking photos of them. He would literally pose for me; after every snap of the camera, he would do something different, show a different pose.


Have you ever seen a cuter face!? It was as though he was smiling at me. ( I just know he was).


I know I am showing a lot of photos this round, but I took tons more.:) Click on them to see the detail of this little guy - he's very handsome!


Thought for today...

It does little good to say you want something, and then, "just in case", prepare to do without.
Burn your bridges.

© www.tut.com



Can you believe that smile?


He has a good life.


What magnificent colors!


May you have a wonderful weekend!!!

make a difference

flicker photo

I am a firm believer that each and every person can make a difference in someone's life, someone's world - actually, when we make a difference in one person's life, we are making a difference in the world. I believe in being a giver - and one can NEVER give too much!!!

Being blessed with the most generous father anyone could have - who was also the wisest man I have ever known - not only told me to be a giving person, but showed me every day by example. He never sat on a church pew that I can recall, yet he displayed more compassion, understanding and generosity than anyone who I ever knew who went to church. I never heard him criticize or say anything bad about another person. And he NEVER NEVER saw anyone - no matter their religious views, beliefs, skin color, or nationality anything other than a human being. I was taught to embrace others individuality, to think outside my own box. Dad believed that if we open our hearts and minds and allow others to teach us their ways and beliefs, it will enlighten us and allow us to become more of who we are meant to be.

I have a long way to go before I become half the person my father was, (and I may never) but, he taught me well, and to always stand up for another, and that, I will do! He taught me that I am not put on the earth for pure enjoyment, but to help others and make a difference in the life of another.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. ~Dr. Seuss

{mind control}

Photograph by Jo Whaley

As you think so shall you be! Since you cannot physically experience another person, you can only experience them in your mind. Conclusion: All of the other people in your life are simply thoughts in your mind. Not physical beings to you, but thoughts. Your relationships are all in how you think about the other people of your life. Your experience of all those people is only in your mind. Your feelings about your lovers come from your thoughts. For example, they may in fact behave in ways that you find offensive. However, your relationship to them when they behave offensively is not determined by their behavior, it is determined only by how you choose to relate to that behavior. Their actions are theirs, you cannot own them, you cannot be them, you can only process them in your mind. ~Wayne Dyer

what's your dance

"Stars" Maxfield Parrish
Whether your dance is the tango, hula, or one of your own creation, dancing life's dance begins with that first brave step. The music has always been playing your favorite tune, yet hearing it requires action. And right on cue, your unfailing partner, the Universe, begins choreographing players and events in a waltz of miracles, moving heaven and earth to align the future of your dreams with your present circumstances. Nothing is impractical, impossible, or out of reach. Your thoughts create worlds, your words shape the future, and the steps you take unleash the magic behind creation.
'Even More Notes From the Universe: Dancing Life's Dance' --Mike Dooley

I'll Miss You, Michael!

Picture Perfect

When I looked out the window late yesterday evening, this beautiful sunset is what I saw. It changed fast; reminding me how quickly time passes - and at the time, we seldom see it. Living right in the city makes it hard to get good photos, there are buildings on all sides. I was pretty happy with these from my little point and shoot camera.:)